Joyce Carlstad Gustafson, 77

Joyce Carlstad Gustafson, 77, passed away Saturday, May 6, 2017, “into the loving arms of Jesus, her savior.” She was surrounded by her loving family.

Joyce was born April 1,1940, in Ambrose, North Dakota, to Otto and Edna Carlstad. She graduated from Crosby High School in Crosby, North Dakota.

On June 29,1958, she married Claude “Gus” Gustafson. They lived their early years of their marriage in Claude’s hometown of Clifton, Texas. In 1964 they moved to Ronan to help out on Joyce’s aunt and uncle’s dairy farm. In 1970 they moved to Kalispell where they raised their family.

She loved doing crafts, country gospel music, traveling and wearing lots of bling. Joyce was known throughout the Flathead Valley for her lefse and Norwegian baking. Thankfully she passed on her lefse making skills to her granddaughter. She worked at many different places and made friends wherever she went. Joyce valued her friendships but her family was everything to her.

Joyce is survived by her husband Claude “Gus” Gustafson, daughter Angela (Tom) Clark, son Galen (Amanda) Gustafson, grandchildren Bailey (Mitchell Schaller) Clark, Will Clark and Kayley Potter. She also leaves behind her beloved Chihuahua, Missy.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Edwin, Kenneth and Wallace Carlstad.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 12, at the funeral home, Darlington Cremation and Burial Service, 3408 U.S. Hwy. 2 East, Kalispell. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, at Easthaven Baptist Church, 2010 Whitefish Stage Road, Kalispell. Private interment will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers make a donation to your favorite charity.

Darlington Cremation and Burial Service is caring for Joyce’s family.